3.1 starter HT system

[madmac]

Or.... you could just connect 3 front speakers and a sub to any receiver and just ignore the rear channel connections. I would still set up the receiver as if they were there however (ie,,,do not tell the receiver in the setup that you do not have them). Surround speakers in movies are simply 'effects' channels. The most important thing is that you have a good center channel speaker. Running a Dolby Digital/ DTS system without one is going to be a problem.

[maseline_98]

As far as 3.1 goes, you would just be losing the the rear channels...most of the content will be coming through the front 3 channels....

You could take a look at a soundbar....it's one speaker that processes 5 channels into one(not sure if they have 7-channel soundbars yet). It would probably work nicely for you. I have never used them, but they do seem to be convenient for wall-mounted flat panels...

[jsluk]

Hi all,

I new into HT stuff. I would like to put a new system in my finished basement but only have room for flat screen and speakers on one wall. I do not wish to run wires across the room for the back and side speaker.

Will today's receiver process HD data from 5.1 or 7.1 down to 3.1 ? Is this ever done by sending the surround channels to the front left and center channels. Has anyone done that or is this really silly ? Thanks.